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I received a call from Clayton, super tech, and yes he will be flying in from LA next week. I'm impressed.
Again.. he read about this incident on DBSTalk.
The installer did check the outlets and said everything was fine.
Now to get the HR24s setup. If only Directv had a settings syncing method like Google/Android.
This units are wickedly fast. I'll see if that lasts when it is filled with recordings.

Thanks to Google search, people can appear to be smarter than they really are.

Since it was "fed" by your DVR, it really comes down to the DVR to DECA path, and whether there was anything in the DECA that shorted, or whether it was at the connection of the coax to the DECA where the short was.This has to be a first [and hopefully only] case of this.

When the PS in my computer did this [melted down] it stunk, which got my attention long before there was any fire.

Since it was "fed" by your DVR, it really comes down to the DVR to DECA path, and whether there was anything in the DECA that shorted, or whether it was at the connection of the coax to the DECA where the short was.This has to be a first [and hopefully only] case of this.

When the PS in my computer did this [melted down] it stunk, which got my attention long before there was any fire.

VOS, I agree. I think the problem was between the deca and the dvr.

Thanks to Google search, people can appear to be smarter than they really are.

This has been a very interesting thread.In all liklihood, the tech will want to take the burnt DECA unit back with him.Given that you had no real damage why not?

Also if they have any other incidents of this on file, they will likely have to notify the Consumer Products Safety Commission. Possible recall too. Could be expensive to Directv.

So far this is the first report of a fire associated with a deca. I was instructed to keep the deca and the HR20 it was connected to. Those will be going back to Directv either with Clayton after his arrival or shipped back. I believe he wants to look at those when he gets here. I've even sent him all the pictures I took of the burnt deca.

Thanks to Google search, people can appear to be smarter than they really are.

Corrected. This is going to be irrelevant information as whole home automatically includes a SWIM, and therefore OP didn't have any B-bands to begin with

H23/HR23s are the only receivers with built in B-band converters. When you replace an HR20 or such with an HR-24 they keep the B-bands, except when upgrading to a SWIM. With a SWIM installed DVRs only need one line in, not two, and B-bands get tossed. Going from multiswich to SWIM changes the requirements for a lot of things. D10s/D11s, R10s/R15s, and legacies ususally aren't SWIM compatable at all. D12s, R16s/R22s, and HR20s-24s can work with or without one. HR34 and H25 REQUIRE one to function so although neither of them have built in B-bands, the mandatory SWIM takes care of that for them.

Just a side note: The H23/HR23s are the only receivers with built in Decas. If you just replace an HR20 or such with an HR-24, you'll still need external Decas. I'm guessing that in this situation they also upgraded the houses system to a SWIM setup. With a SWIM installed DVRs only need one line in, not two, and Decas get tossed. Going from multiswich to SWIM changes the requirements for everything. D10s/D11s, R10s/R15s, and legacies ususally aren't compatable at all. D12s, R16s/R22s, and HR20s-24s can work with or without one. HR34 and H25 REQUIRE one to function so although neither of them have built in DECAs, the mandatory SWIM takes care of that for them.

You're posting some very inacurate info here:

H23/HR23's do not have internal DECA HR24's have internal DECADECA's do not "get tossed" with a SWM setup (in fact, SWM is a requirement for DECA.)HR34 and H25 have internal DECA

Just a side note: The H23/HR23s are the only receivers with built in Decas. If you just replace an HR20 or such with an HR-24, you'll still need external Decas. I'm guessing that in this situation they also upgraded the houses system to a SWIM setup. With a SWIM installed DVRs only need one line in, not two, and Decas get tossed. Going from multiswich to SWIM changes the requirements for everything. D10s/D11s, R10s/R15s, and legacies ususally aren't compatable at all. D12s, R16s/R22s, and HR20s-24s can work with or without one. HR34 and H25 REQUIRE one to function so although neither of them have built in DECAs, the mandatory SWIM takes care of that for them.

Incorrect, the 23's have wide band tuners that don't require BBC's on a non-SWIM setup. They do require DECA's for MRV. The 24's have built in DECA's.

Mr. BP doesn't seem the type to start lawsuits over such a matter. Unless he's just been pretending to be a good guy for lo these many years.....

Not even a thought of a lawsuit. Now if I had spilled some hot McDonald's coffee in my lap due to the fire.... ;-) Actually I feel Directv is going above and beyond what I would have expected. Instead of just having me send the faulty equipment back they are sending a field technician from Los Angeles to investigate and check my equipment and installation. I might just treat him to dinner. :-)

Thanks to Google search, people can appear to be smarter than they really are.

This has been a very interesting thread.In all liklihood, the tech will want to take the burnt DECA unit back with him.Given that you had no real damage why not?

Also if they have any other incidents of this on file, they will likely have to notify the Consumer Products Safety Commission. Possible recall too. Could be expensive to Directv.

Recalls only happen in extreme circumstances, when there are several reported cases of product safety issues. Basically, there has to be a demonstrable pattern of safety issues.

Also, unless the law has been changed in the last few years, DirecTV doesn't have to file a report with the Commission since there was no personal injury or collateral property damage. Granted, there could have been, but the rules don't require a report of potential damage.

DirecTV is going way above and beyond what they are required to do. They are apparently doing it not because they have to, but because they are being good corporate citizens.

BubblePuppy, what a scary scene! My father was burned out when he was a kid and I was raised to be afraid of fire. I have industrial strength fire extinguishers around the house. I might have thrown everything out on the lawn and spent a night in a motel room if I'd had your experience.

Both DirecTV's rapid corporate response and your attitude in this situation have been exemplary. You receive my highest regards. I admire you no end.

Thank you BP, because of your post you made me verify my own Deca's. I'm not concerned about the Deca's on the shelf in each room, as I can easily get to those. But, I have 4 dvr's installed in a built in rack enclosed in a cubby hole in the basement. If one did light up like yours, I would have to unscrew the shelf first which would be too late. I'm now planning on moving the Deca's to their own shelf, up front, then run coax extensions back to the dvr's. I will wire manage them, and provide strain relief. I've been in a fire before, the experience changes your life's perspective. In this matter I would prefer to be preventive then ignore the possibility. And, kudo's to D* for being a good corporate citizen. Regardless how D* management became aware, they appear to be genuinely concerned.

This little incident has been a learning experience on several levels.
One: Even the most innocuous piece of electronic gear can fail and ignite. So I'm glad that this has inspired many members to double check and even relocate equipment to make a safer environment.

Two: It has illustrated to Directv where the weak link in the CSR chain is. The fact that 5 people whom I talked to (one being a supervisor) never felt that a piece of their equipment catching fire was important enough to alert the higher ups. Hopefully this will change.

Three: That there are people at Directv who take this sort of thing seriously and are willing to go above and beyond to make sure their customers are safe and that the equipment is safe to use. I think Directv has a customer for life.

Four: The fact that the two people who contacted me, including the one flying from LA to go over my setup, became alerted about this by reading it here on DBSTalk just reinforces what we all know about this forum, Directv does read what is posted here (watch it Spock. ) This forum plays no small role in decisions made by Directv. Doug and all who participate here have created an incredible communications tool.

Thanks to Google search, people can appear to be smarter than they really are.

Recalls only happen in extreme circumstances, when there are several reported cases of product safety issues. Basically, there has to be a demonstrable pattern of safety issues.

Also, unless the law has been changed in the last few years, DirecTV doesn't have to file a report with the Commission since there was no personal injury or collateral property damage. Granted, there could have been, but the rules don't require a report of potential damage.

DirecTV is going way above and beyond what they are required to do. They are apparently doing it not because they have to, but because they are being good corporate citizens.

Sorry Titan, I have a different view from a first hand recall experience in prior career. But won't drag the thread into a different direction. Glad Directv finally did the right thing after the first call seemed less than positive from BP's first post.